C-SEAP director named Carson J Spencer Foundation’s volunteer of the year

DENVER ­— Monday, Aug. 4, 2014 — As the director of the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP), Randi Wood is not a stranger to mental health issues in the workplace. Since 2008, however, she has taken this professional interest to a new level by helping Colorado be one of the first states to make workplace suicide prevention a health and safety priority for all State employees. For her leadership, perseverance and collaborative spirit, Wood will be honored as the Carson J Spencer Foundation’s (CJSF) volunteer of the year at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. During this event, CJSF will celebrate its 10th Annual Shining Lights of Hope Gala, a “black-tie optional” occasion.

As a long-time supporter of CJSF and its pioneering suicide prevention program, Working Minds, Wood has advocated to integrate important awareness and training opportunities for State professionals and through the Colorado Employee Assistance Program Association. She noticed early on that many State employees and their family members were experiencing suicidal intensity and loss, and made it her priority to better prepare State employees to prevent these tragedies and to respond with compassion should suicide occur.

Within her work with the State, Wood has been tireless in her effort to elevate the conversation about these difficult topics. She coordinated statewide campaigns for World Suicide Prevention Day/National Suicide Prevention Week, including a proclamation and letter from Gov. John Hickenlooper that was sent to all State employees and a number of activities promoting mental health and resources for suicide prevention. Additionally, she has helped establish a robust partnership among C-SEAP, the Department of Corrections and CJSF to train all employees on how best to identify a co-worker in distress and link him or her to qualified care.

As a member of CJSF’s Working Minds Advisory Board since its inception, Wood has helped provide strategic direction for workplace suicide prevention efforts, helping to expand the program to its current national and international reach.

“Randi is a true champion,” said Sally Spencer-Thomas, CEO & Co-Founder of the Carson J Spencer Foundation. “She understands that real change comes from a gentle and persistent insistence that everyone can play a role in suicide prevention and that when we are able to confront these issues head on at all levels of State government, we can save lives.”

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The Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (www.colorado.gov/c-seap) is part of the Department of Personnel & Administration. DPA’s mission is to provide quality services to enhance State government success. From human resources to central services, procurement to payment, administrative courts to financial reporting, and employee assistance, DPA is working together to serve Colorado.

The Carson J Spencer Foundation (www.CarsonJSpencer.org) is a Colorado nonprofit, established in 2005. The CJSF envisions a world where leaders and communities are committed to sustaining a passion for living. Their mission is to elevate the conversation to make suicide prevention a health and safety priority.